The Model 12 is an icon in American shotguns. A fine hunting arm, the skeet version the favorite of shooting sports greats, the military version serving in several wars, and the police riot gun being carried for a century.
Winchester made nearly two million of them. So it stands to reason that more than a few wind up in pawn shops across the country looking a little sad.
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| Ick |
The shotgun above had lived a hard life. It started life as a Model 12 Skeet. And then was fitted with a Cutts Compensator. A very popular accessory for the well to do hunter prior to interchangeable chokes. But an eye sore today.
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| Posted next to a beer can for scale |
A coworker purchased the gun with an idea in mind. To saw it down, remove the offending Cutts and send it off for Briley chokes. Being a Skeet Model, it had a long barrel to begin with. So, hacking off a Bud Heavy can worth of outdated garbage would still keep us NFA legal.
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| Post saw filing. Buy American. |
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| Finished product |
And in the mean time, it will be a decent riot gun if the ghost of Frank Hamer visits West Georgia and needs some fire power.
Hey Mack;
ReplyDeleteI understand the reluctance, but the compensator was an "Eyesore" and didn't come from the factory so you actually restored the OEM look of the shotgun. The Old Shotgun really looked good, with a bit of work, it would be a good addition to your collection.
Turned out well enough for me, and with Briley Thin Walls I intend to take all manner of game. Shame that the beautiful wood is on a pig of a gun, but hey, perhaps I can save it from a life of ignominy and shame on the shop rack. It sits next to me now on the couch as I watch Last of the Mohicans for the 267th time, dreaming of the Blue Ridge I roamed as a child. A time when a Mason jar was canteen enough for any passing spring and a hatchet, Daisy, and machete were all I needed for a good time.
ReplyDeleteNow Last of the Mohicans was a dang good movie, I didn't care that it didn't follow the book, the scenery and historical stuff more than made up for that "sin" as far as I recalled.
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